I have a few weekday dates left for 2018 and i am already taking bookings through the Summer of 2019, so if you have booked your wedding date for later this year or for 2019 then please don't leave it too late, book your photographer straight away as we book up really quickly.

As the evenings get longer it means we can get some great sunset shots with couples and hopefully the weather wont stay as wet as it is supposed to be this weekend, but that the sun will once again shine on us and give us some fabulous warm days this summer.

When you book your photographer remember to ask some key questions - ask if they have photographed at your chosen venue before - and if not will they go with you to have a look around and discuss photo options. Ask how long it takes to get your photographs after the wedding day ? Do you get colour and black and white or just colour ? The list of questions is endless including of course the one nobody really likes to ask - what happens if the photographer falls ill and can't make it ? Is there a back up plan?

If you would like to have a chat with me about your wedding date or find out if your wedding date is still free then please give me a call on 07885472010,

Today we will discuss wedding photography more specifically. What you should be asking your photographer. Plus meeting your photographer before you book and things to look for.

I have a lot of people phone up and they want to book over the phone without meeting me or seeing anymore of my work, whilst this is fine - I really like to meet people beforehand - I like to know whose wedding I am going to be photographing and make sure that we will be a good fit and that I can offer you what you want from your wedding day photography.

When you meet your wedding photographer, you need to ask all kinds of questions:

1. How long have they been photographing weddings - can they show you a selection of different weddings?

2. Can they show you albums that they can offer you afterwards if you decide you would like an album?

3.How long does it take for you to receive your photos after the Wedding Day and How will you receive them DVD, CD or USB memory stick - and if something happens to your copy are you able to get another copy if needed ?

4. Is there a fixed number of photos that you get or is it just as many as the photographer takes ?

5. Will your photographer do a few formal family Group photos - if so who decides what they will be?

6. Are you able to have any of the photos in black and white too?

7.is there a way of sharing the wedding photos online with friends and family?

8. If you haven't been to my venue before will you go there before the Big Day?

9.Do you work with an assistant or on your own?

10. Think about how you feel about your photographer - remember you need to like your photographer as they will be spending a lot of time with you on your Wedding Day and so they also need to understand what you like and don't like.

Whomever you choose to take your Wedding Day Photos, make sure you know what you get for your money and that you are happy and confident in your photographer, that they put you at ease and make you feel that you don't need to worry about your photos on your wedding day.

If you have any questions or would like to check if I am free on your Wedding day, please just drop me an email or call me.

There are so many things to think about when planning your Big Day that I always suggest making lists to people, that way you can check what you have done and still need to do - and also write down any extra ideas you want to spend more time thinking about.

There are the basics of course - getting your venue booked and if it's not a church wedding then getting a registrar booked too.

Once you have your venue/venues and registrar booked, then book your photographer and videographer if you are having one. Photographers book up quite far in advance, so the faster you can organise one the better. Then there is your wedding dress to decide on, suits for the Groom and Groomsmen, any cars if you need them to take you between venues - if everything is happening at one venue then this is of course one less thing to worry about.

So after venues, your dress, the Grooms suit, cars - or no cars, your photographer, a videographer, Bestman - or men, Ushers, Bridesmaids - and their dresses, flowers for the venue, bouquets and buttonholes, plus flowers for the church or venue, pedastals for the church or table arrangements for a civil ceremony - plus flowers or table decorations for your venue - there's so much to choose from, do you make your own table decorations or have candelabras? This year there have been flower arrangements, plants in pots as thank you gifts, candles in vases on mirrors, slices of wood with ribbons and jam jars with candles in true vintage style. Film themed tables, tables themed on places the couple have traveled to, wine vineyards names and some have had numbers on their tables - everybody has different ideas.

Some tables are colour themed - or every table has been themed on a different super hero or Disney character? Will you make your own favours - some have given away shots, home made jam, Sloe Gin shots, sweets with their names on the wrappers, sun flower seeds.... the list goes on.

Who will make your cake? Or will you buy one and decorate it yourself? or maybe you wold prefer one made of cheese - or multiple cupcakes? So much to think about..... Then there is the band - or DJ? If you have a band will they learn your first dance for you? Signing Board or Guest book or tree full of wishes ? Will you have a postbox for your guests cards or an open vintage suitcase - or maybe something else?

Speeches - will you stay with tradition and do your speeches at the end of the meal - or if the people doing the speeches are a little worried about it, maybe do them first so that they can enjoy their meal and not feel worried during them ? Presents for parents, Bridesmaids, Bestman and Ushers ? Hairdresser and make up artist ? Will you have them come to you - will you want to do it all yourself, or will you go to a salon in the morning before you get married ? Will they need to do hair and make up for your Bridesmaids and the Moms too ? Rings - make sure you have them on the day :-) Also you may want to think about having your engagement ring cleaned before the big day too ;-) More hints and tips and things to think about next week - I think that's enough for now. If you would like to chat with me about your Big Day just call or email me with any questions you may have.

Wow - 2018 Happy New Year Everybody. I hope it is healthy and happy for you all and filled with fun, laughter and maybe a wedding or two :-)

If you were proposed to over the New Year and have decided that you want to get married during the same year as the Royal wedding, then please get in touch sooner rather than later. I already have plenty of bookings in May, but work on a first come first served basis, I don't hold dates for people, but once a booking with deposit is made, the date is yours.

Wherever you are getting married there is always a lot to think about at the venue too, table decorations, favours, a card box - or vintage suitcase ? A signing board with photo - or Guest book? some people prefer a tree covered with peoples wishes or glass cases full of wooden hearts with well wishes on - so many options and these are just a few. Then there's the cake - real flowers to decorate or icing flowers - 3 tiers or one small cake and cup cakes? This year layers of cheeses have been popular for couples who don't like cake..... some cakes have been have white and traditional with the other half based on Spiderman, Batman or Captain America? And people always say to me - "but aren't all weddings the same?"

No - ALL weddings are different :-)

Where and however you decide to get married this year I hope you have an amazing day and that you enjoy the planning and run up to your Big Day too as the day itself flies by faster than you can possibly imagine, so remember to take a step back during the day and soak the moments in and don't stress, just enjoy your day. Have a wonderful 2018

This year i have photographed at both new and old venues, there are some that I seem to go to several times a year;

Manor Hill House in Upton Warren, a very friendly venue, with superb food, which is exclusive for you and your wedding party.

Grafton Manor - a larger venue for bigger weddings when you may need more rooms for guests to stop over in and huge gardens for kids to run around in.

Stone Manor- recently refurbed and looking lovely, with several room/garden options for your big day, but in the peak summer season, you may find they have more than one wedding going on.

Other venues I have worked at this year include Warwick Castle, Red House Barns, The Jinney Ring, The Chateau Impney, Highley Hall, Rowton Castle, Brockencote Hall, Chaddesley Corbett Church, Crown and Sandys in Ombersley, The Wroxeter Hotel, Manor By The Lake in Cheltenham, The Diglis Hotel in Worcester, Curradine Barns, Birtsmorton Court, Gorcott Hall, The list goes on :-)

They are all different and there are many pros and cons to each venue that will suit each and every wedding requirement. I have booked a couple of weddings this week already and so please get in touch as soon as possible to book in your Big Day.

It's always lovely to be able to get a shot of the venue at the end of the night with all of the lights on - Warwick Castle in this case. As if you get a wedding album, it makes a lovely shot to finish your album off with. If you have any questions about your Wedding Day Photography please feel free to drop me an email or give me a call, Have a Great Weekend and New Year,

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Christmas Break and that Santa brought you all of the wonderful presents and toys and gifts you all hope for. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of my clients during 2017, it has been a wonderful year. I have met some superb couples - and their families - and their pets too. I think this year I have seen more dogs involved in weddings than ever before, it's been brilliant - especially for a dog lover like myself.

If you have got engaged over Christmas and would like to have a chat with me about your special day, or if you want to email me to check on my availability first, please just drop me a line and we can have a chat about when and where you are getting married and all of the different options that I offer.

I'm getting a lot of phone calls for dates that are already booked, so I thought I'd share some info for you all that may help when you are wanting to check if I'm free for your wedding.

I have NO Saturdays free in May 2016, June 2016 or September 2016.

In July 2016 the only Saturday I have free is Saturday 16th July. All of my others are full in July 2016.

In August 2016 I have Saturday 27th August available - All of my other Saturdays in August are fully booked.

In October 2016 Saturday 1st and 29th are booked, all other Saturdays are currently free.

The only Saturday that i have free in November is 26th and I only have weekdays available in December 2016.

I have various weekdays and Sundays free in the previous months so please call for these. Also please bear in mind that I get calls for weddings all of the time and so the above can change quite quickly.

I am now taking wedding bookings right through to April 2018 so if you are planning well in advance please give me a call and we can have a chat and get you booked in for your Special day.

i have lots of people I can recommend for you for half price suit hire and wedding flowers and bouquets and Pig roasts, they are people that I have worked with a lot and do wonderful work. i have even helped people who can't decide on venues or find the one they really want. I have photographed weddings at so many different venues around Worcestershire I can let you know which venue suits which type of wedding. So if you have booked your Wedding day with your venue or church and would like to have a chat about your photography, please just give me a call on 07885472010 and we can have a chat or meet up to go through exactly what you would like from your special day. have a great day.x